Thousand Palms works to give back to our community and our nation with programs we call "Doing Good". The following is a description of some of those programs: COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FUND RAISING As a community service, Thousand Palms works to support the fund raising activities of local charities and not-for-profit organizations. The 2010 Rutland Haunted Forest provided fund raising opportunities for the following groups and organizations: • Lecanto High School Future Farmers of America • Floral City Team Green 4H Club • Teen For Life Campaign • Nature Coast Pregnancy and Family Life Center • Lecanto High School Cheerleaders • Gold Ballroom Youth Dance Group • Citrus County Teens for Life • Fisher House Building Campaign at the Gainesville VA Hospital In addition to fund raising activities, Thousand Palms is working with the New Horizons Village Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled to provide on the job training opportunities for residents. SERVICE MEMBERS / VETERANS PROGRAMS Thousand Palms focuses many of its charitable fund raising and community service activities on programs to support active and retired service members and veterans. Following is a summary of our activities over the past year. HONOR PROGRAM Thousand Palms offers free camping to Service Members, Veterans, and their families every year from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Qualified Service Members and Veterans receive up to 4 nights of free camping/lodging after purchasing just three nights. RUTLAND HAUNTED FOREST Thousand Palms, with the help of many volunteers from our community, hosts a haunted forest and haunted house each October. The majority of the 2009 Haunt proceeds were donated to the Fisher House in Tampa which provides housing for families of hospitalized service members and veterans. The 2009 haunt raised over $ 800 [...]

The staff and management of Thousand Palms Resort respectfully request your attention to this set of policies we use for the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all of our guests. Safety Policies Drive Slowly- Because our roads are used by pedestrians, bicyclists and golf cart operators as well as motor vehicles, the speed limit is 5 mph for all vehicles and everything else with wheels. No Dumping- All wastewater at the resort is collected, treated on site and returned to the ground. As such it is essential that only natural waste and safe household wastewater is flushed into our sewer system. Material that doesn’t breakdown naturally in water, such as cigarette butts, diapers and feminine products, should never be flushed. In addition, do not flush products that could be toxic including unwanted medications or harsh chemicals. We will advise and or assist you in the safe disposal of these materials. Only registered guests may use the sanitary dump station or sewer connections at the resort for disposal of wastewater. No Fireworks - Fireworks of all kinds can be dangerous and disruptive and are therefore not allowed at the resort. Unlicensed Vehicles- Golf carts, scooters and ATV’s may only be operated by licensed drivers at speeds of 5 MPH or less on designated resort roads and paths. Vehicles may not carry more passengers than they are rated for, and must have effective mufflers. Nighttime operation also requires the use of headlights. Campfires- Campfires must at all times be contained, attended, and controlled to limit flame height to no more than three feet. Only untreated firewood and charcoal maybe burned. Trash, lumber and other products may not be burned at any time. Management may ban campfires at any [...]

Abundant sunshine makes outdoor recreation enjoyable 12 months a year at Thousand Palms. In the early months of winter some evenings and mornings can be cool, but with only occasional rains and very few cloudy days, almost every day’s weather can be described as “Great !” Our summer temperatures are cooler than many other places in Florida both South and North of us. 5 day forecast

Discounted Monthly Rates Our lowest rates are offered to customers who lease sites on a monthly basis. All site types and all of our lodging options offer discounts for monthly reservations starting as low as $299/month. Military Discounts From Memorial Day each May through Veterans each November, Thousand Palms offers a discount we call the Honor Program to active and retired service members and veterans. Using the Honor Program, qualified customers get 4 nights free camping or lodging when they purchase 3 nights at our already low off-season rates. The Honor Program is also available to the immediate families of military personnel currently serving overseas. Stimulus Program Doesn’t it feel like there should be a stimulus program for the rest of us? We think so, and have one at Thousand Palms – the “Friends of Thousand Palms Stimulus Program”. For as little as $299/month (plus tax and electric), you can spend your winter vacation at Thousand Palms Resort. Although these sites have no sewer connections, we offer two free pump outs each week on these sites. Here’s how it works. Reserve any of our sunny or shady Standard RV sites site for a winter vacation of at least 6 months by making a $300 deposit. When you check in, pay the rent in advance for your full stay and then lay back and enjoy an active and entertaining winter in our beautiful setting with the other great people Thousand Palms attracts. A six month vacation using the Stimulus Program is just $1,795 ($299/month plus tax and metered electric service). Stimulus Program discounts are available for vacations of 4 months or more. Please call Reservations for details at 352-748-2237.

In the early 1900’s, the town of Rutland, Florida primarily served as a base for the cypress logging industry. Rutland had 75 homes, a population of 300, town hall, church, mayor, sheriff and even a jail. The lifeline of the town was the railroad spur that came to a stop in Rutland on the land that is now Thousand Palms RV Resort. Logging Crew Lumbermen in Rutland Cummer Train Cypress logging was a booming industry during this time period. The logs were cut and floated downstream on the Withlacoochee River to a destination where the campground now stands. The logs were then dragged by mules and oxen up a logging trail to the rail station and transported via rail to the Cummer and Sons Cypress Company mill about 40 miles South in Lacooche, Florida. As the logging industry slowed, Cummer and Sons moved out of the area bringing an end to the cypress logging in Rutland. In the 1950’s, a Mr. Thomas purchased a 70 acre tract of the former rail spur which is now where the campground stands. The parcel consisted of a 35 acre section to the west including 700 feet on the Withlacoochee River which has now become Sumter County’s Rutland Boat Landing. Mr. Thomas split the parcel with his brother Leman Thomas who, with his wife Edna, packed up their family and belongings and moved from Kentucky to Rutland in 1951. Leman donated 7 acres of the east parcel which is now occupied by the First Baptist Church of Rutland and by County Road 249. Leman and his family moved into an old brick house that was already on the property and built his [...]

People-friendly dogs, indoor cats, fish and birds are welcome at Thousand Palms. Our fenced dog run comes complete with Frisbees and balls for off leash exercise. Because people are our first priority our policies require that pets are quiet, leashed and attended whenever outdoors, and that all pet waste must be immediately cleaned up and disposed of appropriately. Dogs must be registered with the office and evidence of licensing and vaccination must be available.

GPS: 6545 W SR (State Road) 44, Lake Panasoffkee, Florida 33538 28 degrees 51.159’, W 082 degrees 12.726’ Please Note: Florida SR (State Road) 44 may be identified on your GPS system differently. Some other street names are: W Gulf Atlantic Hwy W Hwy 44 E Gulf to Lake Hwy Driving from the North: Interstate 75 South to Wildwood, Florida Exit #329 onto FL State Road 44 State Road 44 West toward Inverness Continue approximately 7 miles to Thousand Palms RV Resort on South side of road Use turnaround just West of resort entrance and return East ¼ mile to driveway. Driving from South Florida & Orlando: Florida’s Turnpike North to Interstate 75 at Wildwood Merge onto I-75 North ½ mile Exit #329 onto FL State Road 44 State Road 44 West toward Inverness Continue approximately 7 miles to Thousand Palms RV Resort on South side of road Use turnaround just West of resort entrance and return East ¼ mile to driveway. Driving from Southwest Florida and Tampa: Interstate 75 North to Wildwood, Florida Exit #329 onto FL State Road 44 State Road 44 West toward Inverness Continue approximately 7 miles to Thousand Palms RV Resort on South side of road Use turnaround just West of resort entrance and return East ¼ mile to driveway Mailing Address: Thousand Palms RV Resort 6545 West State Road 44 Lake Panasoffkee FL, 33538